Shakespeare …

"This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet."
- Romeo and Juliet, Act 2 scene 2

• William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) stands as a signpost. He reminds us of the distant past when humans saw beyond the physical. And he heralds the future like a prophet, telling of a time when we might do so again.

"To be or not to be.

Whether 'tis nobler in the minds of men to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and thus by opposing end them." - Hamlet, Act 3, scene 1.

• He points to the next moment (our moment) in history where the individual stands up and advocates for oneself.

"What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!". - Hamlet, Act 2, scene 2 .

• He puts man above the animals. Some say his view is from the time of Aristotle - some say it is of the future.

Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked elipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
  And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
  Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand. - Sonnet 60

• Shakespeare's many works are sometimes thought to be written by more than one person. In any case, these verses do stand the test of time so far - and ever cause us to look up to higher goals and aspirations.